Are frequent flyer programs worth the hassle?

Question

I do maybe about 15,000 miles of flying every year on all different airlines. Generally, my tendency has been to look for cheap flights on Orbitz or Kayak and book those- this has resulted in me flying many different airlines just a few times each but saving a lot on each ticket.

I signed up for frequent flyer programs for AA, Continental, and US Airways. I noticed that these programs also give points for making purchases through affiliates (like 1800flowers) and dining at certain restaurants.

However, I am looking for some advice as to whether these programs are worthwhile. Say I buy some flowers and earn triple points. So I've earned 150 points, but that doesn't count for much in these programs. I almost feel like I am better off scouting the web for sales, coupons, and discounts than by trying to rack up frequent flyer miles and using them.

Do you guys agree? Am I missing something?

Answer 1

These programs are pretty good if you have the opportunity to use them when you earn them.

As far as earning more through affiliates like 1800flowers, it is not usually the best deal for you. Often, those deals you get pale in the comparison to the offers and coupons you can get outside of your frequent flier program. There are some that have terms and conditions that ban you from using coupons.

Obritz and other fare-savings websites are a great place to start. You will get great deals through them. Use a coupon site like http://www.24houredeals.com/home/ to save on your purchases through affiliates like 1800 flowers. They will get you 15% off your 1800flowers purchase. Something you may not have an opportunity to save if you use your frequent flier program. That way you save now, not later.

Do the math on your savings and pick the best program. I have seen several FF programs that do not allow this stacking, or you need to go through customer service to secure them, and that can be a severe headache.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Sure it's worth joining the frequent flyer programs, it doesn't cost anything and if you are indeed a frequent flyer you are rewarded quite well. It's not worth buying flowers and the like if you are paying more for these services or restaurants that you wouldn't otherwise eat at, as the miles you will accumulate won't amount to much. Also, unless you pay off your airline credit card every month, they aren't really worth it either as you pay a higher interest rate on airline credit cards. What I think is most important is to choose a frequent flyer program and stay loyal to it, I'm an AA platinum member and have flown about 90,000 miles a year for the past six years. Once you reach a certain level, you get prioirty check-in, priority boarding, priority baggage, lounge access and occasionally, free upgrades. I've also been able to use my miles for five round-trip business class and one first class flight to Asia. I'm also a member of four other programs, and have 20,000 here and 40,000 there, it really isn't enough to gain any real benefits from. So try to stay loyal to one program and I think you'll find it worthwhile, especially if you find yourself flying more than 20-25000 miles a year, that's when some real benefits start kicking in.

Answer 3

My job required me to fly twice weekly approximately 2000 miles. Over the years I gained quite a few miles. I cashed in some for a flight (Delta), which was confirmed and booked. The day before my flight, I was informed that I had been bumped off the flight completely in favor or paying flyers. This required me to purchase a ticket (you can bet I didn't choose Delta) at the last minute, which costs me several hundred dollars more than it would have had I booked it and paid cash to start with.
The only benefits I ever found for having all these miles were 1) early boarding; 2) occasionally upgrading to first class; 3) choosing specific seats (not on Soutwest). None are guaranteed except early boarding but all you do then is sit longer.

Answer 4

Not much of a hassle being a member of a frequent flier program. Sign up for 3 major programs:

1. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines
2. Continental, Delta, Northwest
3. United, US Airways

Continue to book your cheapest flight but assign the mileage from the flight to one of the airlines only in the 3 groups above. Say, you sign up with United, but fly on a US Airways flight...assign those miles to your United account. You can continue to book on Orbitz, etc. But, print your boarding pass out on the airline site and assign the miles to the frequent flier account you have. It seems that you have already chosen AA, Continental, and US Airways as your selections, so assign the partner airline miles to one of those accounts.

The credit cards offered by airlines can help you rack up miles as well, but many of them charge $90/year to have it. Some give you 25,000 miles upfront, so that basically pays for one round trip domestic ticket.

Overall, there is little hassle to being a frequent flier club member. You might as well do it to eventually get a free ticket.

Answer 5

in case you fly plenty, enormously between the U.S. and Europe, verify which you do sign in. that's unfastened to hitch and there is no annual value. reward incorporate gathering sufficient miles to get unfastened journeys. additionally you will hit upon out what companions Virgin Atlantic has so which you will earn miles by different potential. to illustrate sometimes airways better half up with eating places, motels motor vehicle condo agencies and different centers so in case you utilize those centers, you could earn airline miles. diverse airways have diverse rules besides on miles expiration. in case your account isn't lively for see you later, which potential you do not fly or redeem miles, after a undeniable term, they'd expire and you lose the mileage you assemble.